Research Projects in the Middle School

The seventh grade completes a research project on an animal. This research paper must be
typed and will include a title page, body, and works sited page. The
research paper must be at least 300 words long. Students will be graded on
20 completed notecards, rough drafts, content, length, and their work in the
computer lab. In addition to the research paper, the students will create a
PowerPoint slide show about the project.

The eighth grade research project is required to graduate from the eighth
grade in our school district. The students’ research a topic approved by the
teacher from a list of suggested topics related to the curriculum. They can
be literature, science, social studies, art, or music topics. They have
instruction on completing the bibliographic cards (source cards) and
preparing notecards with a title, source number, and the credits they will
use in documenting the sources in the report body. The paper must be five
to seven pages in length. They have to include an outline and works cited
page in addition to the five to seven page reports. They are required to
have a minimum of sixty note cards from the following sources one book, one
encyclopedia, one Internet source, one magazine, and one source of their
choice (TV, personal interview, film, or double up on one of the other
sources). There must be also a source card for each of the five required
sources. Mrs. Horter, the librarian, teaches how to use ACCESS
PA to locate and print their periodical source. About two weeks is
spent researching in the library. The classes are also taught how to
organize their research and plan the report using an outline they write.
In addition to the research paper, the students will create a PowerPoint
slide show about the project.

Grade 6

Language Arts:

The sixth grade Reading
and English series is from the Houghton Mifflin Company and it
is skill based. In Reading, the sixth graders will be working on
vocabulary, comprehension, sequence, figurative language, word structure,
text sequence and story elements. In English, the students will be working
on writing, grammar and spelling.

In sixth grade, one of
the main focuses will be writing. The students will take the Pennsylvania
State Writing Assessment in October. The students will be extremely busy
the first few weeks of school learning the various aspects of writing. The
students will learn to write in three different styles: narrative,
persuasive and informative.

Social
Studies

In sixth grade Social Studies, the students will learn about the
Western Hemisphere. We will begin or study with Canada
and work our way down through Mexico,
Central America, the Caribbean,
and South America. The students will also be learning the location of all
the United States. The students will be
completing various interesting activities and projects that go along with
studying the
Western Hemisphere.

Science:

The sixth grade students will
be covering many topics this year in Science class. They will be learning
about space, weather, ecology, and matter. The students will be
participating in an upcoming assembly on water conservation. The students
will be preparing this year for the Science portion of the PSSA test which
will be administered to them while they are in 7th grade. The
students will also be working on locating facts and information as they
write the sixth grade research report.

Pre-Algebra:

The pre-algebra students are learning the basics
of algebra. This will enable them to be able to take Geometry in 8th
grade, which will dramatically help and challenge our students. Some of the
areas covered in the sixth grade algebra class are solving two-step
equations, integers, proportions, statistics, exponents, rational numbers,
ratio, polynomials, triangles, graphing equations, and inequalities.

Math:

Students will be working a
variety of areas in Math this year. Some of these concepts fractions,
percents, decimals, exponents, scientific, square roots, geometry, integers
and problem solving. The students will be learning and mastering this
information during the course of the year.

Grade 7

Seventh grade curriculum

Students who have 7th
grade Algebra are learning to solve multi-step equations to model real-life
problems. Students have also solved literal equations which will help them
prepare to work with linear and quadratic equations in the near future.
They have also worked on word problems and rate problems using proportions.

In Pre Algebra students have
learned how to solve equations and inequalities. We have also been
working hard with perimeter, area, and volume. We are beginning a new
chapter about integers which deals with working with positive and negative
numbers.

In Math class students have also
worked with equations and are currently working with multiplying and
dividing decimals as well as expanded notation and scientific notation.

Seventh grade English
classes are working on the basics of grammar as well as some fun free
writing activities. They are using prompts that are entertaining and fun
but will also provide excellent practice for the PSSA tests.

In Social Studies students are
working on the early history of the Eastern Hemisphere and they are
preparing to begin their study of ancient Egypt. Students are also
learning about different kinds of maps – physical, political, grid, etc. and
climatic conditions of different latitudes.

Grade 8

Eighth Grade
Curriculum Overview

The eighth grade pre-algebra classes are
exposed to skills needed to do well in algebra. These skills include
solving equations, geometry, measurement, problem solving, graphing, and
statistics. The eighth grade algebra classes are working on solving
equations, graphing different families of function, polynomial operations,
and analytical geometry. The eight grade geometry classes are studying
basic relationships, definition, theorems, postulates, and axioms.
Exploring different polygons, formulas for area, perimeter, volume, and
surface area. Working with the Geometer’s Sketchpad Program at least two
times per week to increase student understanding of Geometry. All
courses will continuously work on skills to improve our performance on the
PSSA.

The eighth grade English classes are working on their
research papers this year. They chose a topic; research using
encyclopedias, books, magazines, and the Internet; then compose a 5 to 7
page paper that includes an outline, works cited page, and cover page. Its
completion is one of the requirements for eighth grade graduation.

In eighth grade science classes they are working on physical and chemical
changes. They will also work on phase changes of matter, differences
between mixtures, elements, and compounds.

In eighth grade social studies students are studying American History
including these five major themes: Three worlds meet (1450-1620),
Colonization and Settlement (1585-1763), Revolution and the New Nation
(1754-1820), Expansion and Reform (1801-1861), and the Civil War and
Reconstruction (1850-1877).

Eighth grade
Spanish 1 emphasizes the development of Spanish pronunciation, basic
grammar, and thematic vocabulary, which enables the student to speak and
converse about basic daily activities in the present tense. This course
introduces the culture and geography of Spanish speaking countries.

Related Arts

Family and Consumer
Science

The eighth grade family and
consumer science classes have the opportunity to experience caring for a
baby. The baby is actually a doll of infant size weighing approximately 8
lbs. and containing a microprocessor. The microprocessor causes the baby to
cry at irregular times during the day as well as the night. In order to stop
the crying the student has a special key to place in the baby and must hold
the key until the baby giggles, signifying the care time is over. The key
must be held in place for 5-30 minutes until the baby becomes pacified.
Students take the baby home on Friday and return it on Monday morning. The
school district has infant carriers, baby blankets, clothing and diaper bags
for the students to use.

If a students doesn’t want to experience the baby, they can write a 4
page typed report about infants. This is the second year for this program.

Physical Education

The Middle School Physical education
program offers a variety of individual and team sports. These activities
concentrate on skill development and sportsmanship. Team activities are
intramural ending with all school play-offs in front of the student body.

Computer Technology

All classes meet once a week. We have a brand new computer
lab. We're are using Windows XP and Office 2007. The students practice formal
keyboarding skills. The students create, edit, save and print documents
using Microsoft Word. Research projects are completed in computer class.
Microsoft Excel is utilized to create spreadsheets with charts and tables.
Microsoft Publisher is applied to create calendars, signs, cards, and
labels. Microsoft Power Point is the multimedia program employed
for creating and animating slide show presentations. Internet classes
revolve around safety, web page evaluation and educational activities.

General Art

Sixth and seventh graders will be working mainly with
two-dimensional assignments evolving around and creating good composition.
This will take them into drawing, design and painting projects.

Eighth grade – an understanding of both two and three-dimensional
work will be essential to the students understanding of what will be
required of him or her. Each will demonstrate and show their knowledge of
these aspects of art by various drawings/constructions.

Music

Seventh grade is a combination of
traditional general music class singing and the Music in Education keyboard
program is taught.

Sixth grade General Music focuses on the instruments of the
orchestra, and the American music in the early 1900’s. The students also
learn to use the keyboard lab and compose their own songs.

Eighth grade general music spends time studying the history of
music from the Renaissance to the Romantic period, American folk songs and
patriotic music. They also learn to play and compose their own songs in
our new keyboard lab.

The chorus classes spend time in the fall and spring working on
music to perform at the Christmas and spring concerts, as well as for
various assemblies and the Unified Arts Festival.

Technology Education
(Industrial Arts)

Sixth graders will learn to measure, use a variety of woodworking
tools, and operate woodworking machinery while making a wooden toy jeep.

Seventh graders will make a hurricane lamp.

Each eighth grade class will choose a project that they wish to
make. Past projects include mantle shelves, mirror frames, double and triple
shelves and footstools. One or two classes may make a gumball dispensing
trolley.